Power detection system for valve actuators

ABSTRACT

A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.

BACKGROUND

Certain types of watercraft (e.g. ships, aircraft carriers, etc.) areconfigured with multiple valves situated throughout the vessel. Valveactuators are configured to operate the valves by opening or closing thevalves, thereby regulating the flow of fluid through a passageway.Electronic valve actuators can be programmed with positional setting andtorque settings to electronically operate the valves between the openand close positions.

Electronic valve actuators have been used in Navy equipment for morethan 15 years. First generation electronic valve actuators were oftenconstructed by purchasing rugged commercial power supplies, and thensupplying them with one phase of a three phase power supply. Many ofthese power supplies traditionally used electrolytic capacitors thathave a tendency to dry out over years of service. Many of these powersupplies also proved to be physically substantial, imposing significantmounting challenges due to their size and weight. Moreover, shock andvibration design requirements often added further size and weightpenalties.

In power systems where the valve actuator electric motor is operated bya three phase alternating current (AC) power supply, loss of one of thethree phases can result in substantial damage to an electric motor,wiring, and associated electrical mechanical components including damageto the attached valve.

Therefore, it is desirable to detect the loss or disruption of one ormore phases of an AC power source before loss of a phase or degradationof the quality of the three phase AC power can cause damage to hardwarecomponents.

SUMMARY

Described herein are techniques and systems for detecting the loss ordisruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current(AC) power source. The loss or disruption of one or more phases of athree phase AC power source may cause abnormally high or abnormally lowvoltage to be transmitted to downstream hardware components. Theabnormal voltage may damage or affect the long-term operating life ofthe hardware components. Also disclosed herein is a valve actuatorconfigured to operate using the three phase AC power source. The valveactuator may include an AC motor used to operate a valve. The valveactuator may also include components to rectify and filter the AC powersource and produce a substantially constant direct current (DC) outputvoltage. The DC output voltage may be used to operate internalcomponents of the valve actuator, such as microcontrollers.

In some embodiments, the process for detecting the loss or disruption ofone or more phases of the three phase AC power source may includedetecting a change in voltage of each phase of the three phase AC powersource using voltage sensors. For instance, three voltage sensors caneach interface with different phases of the three phase AC power source.The voltage sensors can be configured to detect whether a loss ordisruption of one or more phases of the three phase AC power source hasoccurred. If a voltage sensor detects the loss or disruption of a phaseof the AC power source, the voltage sensor may generate and transmit asignal indicating such, to a microcontroller for downstream use.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller may be communicatively coupledto an AC motor controller. The AC motor controller may be configured tocontrol the operation of the AC motor by causing the AC motor to providevarying levels of output power for operating the valve. For example, themicrocontroller may transmit a signal to the AC motor controllerindicating that the loss or disruption of one or more phases of thethree phase AC power source has occurred. In response, the AC motorcontroller may modify the operation of the AC motor based at least inpart on the indication received from the microcontroller.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving an indication of a phaseloss or disruption, the AC motor controller may stop operation of thevalve actuator by stopping the supply of AC power to the AC motor. Inother embodiments, the AC motor controller may allow normal operation ofthe valve actuator to occur for a predetermined time interval. In yetanother embodiment, the AC motor controller can issue an alarm ortransmit an alert message to an operator, indicating the loss ordisruption of one or more phases of the three phase AC power source.

Some examples of downstream uses of identifying a loss or disruption ofone or more phases of a three phase AC power source may include helpingprevent damage to components of the valve system, and allowing the valvesystem to operate properly within specifications.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that is further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of an example valve system in aclosed position.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example architecture that implements the detectionof a loss or disruption to at least one phase of a three phase AC powersource.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of an example process for transmitting acommunication to other computing devices, in response to receiving anindication of a phase loss or disruption of at least one phase of thethree phases AC power source.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of an example process for causing themicrocontroller to modify the operation of the actuator motor, inresponse to receiving an indication of a phase loss or disruption of atleast one phase of the three phase AC power source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are techniques and systems for determining thedisruption or loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC powersource. The techniques and systems may be equally applied during an idleor operational phase of the valve actuator. An operational phase of thevalve actuator may include powering the AC motor to operate the valve.An idle phase may include, but is not limited to, running systemdiagnostics of the valve actuator that do not require powering the ACmotor or actuating the valve. Some embodiments disclosed herein aredescribed, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to avalve system that is suitable for use in marine environments, such asocean liners, or ships including military ships and submarines. However,it is to be appreciated that other types of valve systems of varyingdesigns may benefit from the techniques and systems disclosed herein.

As used herein, the term “valve” is broadly construed to include, but isnot limited to, a device capable of regulating a flow of one or moresubstances through one or more passageways by opening, closing, orpartially blocking the one or more passageways. For example, a valve canhalt or control the flow of a fluid (e.g. a liquid, a gas, a fluidizedsolid, or mixtures thereof) through a conduit, such as a pipe, a tube, aline, a duct, or another structural component (e.g., a fitting) forconveying substances. Valve types include, without limitation, ballvalves, butterfly valves (e.g. concentric, double offset, triple offset,etc.), globe valves, plug valves, and the like.

Example Valve System

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of an example valve system 100.The valve system may be associated with a larger system, such as a plant(e.g. a water treatment plant, a power plant, etc), a refinery, afactory, or a vehicle such as a watercraft. Furthermore, the valvesystem 100 may represent one of a plurality of valve systems associatedwith the larger system. As noted above, the valve system 100 may beimplemented in any suitable environment, which may include, withoutlimitation, a non-corrosive environment, a corrosive environment, amagnetic environment, a non-magnetic environment, a moist environment, amarine environment, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, thevalve system 100 may be used in civilian or military watercraft (e.g.ocean liners, floating vessels, boats, ships, submersible vehicles suchas submarines, and the like). Marine environments can be especiallyharsh on the operation of the electrical/mechanical components becauseof an abundance of corrosive substances, such as salt water.

The valve system 100 includes a valve actuator 102 coupled to a valve104. FIG. 1 illustrates the valve 104 in a closed position. The valve104 may be positioned in a passageway 106 and may operate between theopened (not shown) and closed positions to regulate the flow of fluidsand like substances through the passageway 106. The valve actuator 102may utilize various components (not shown) to automatically control theoperation/actuation of the valve 104 in order to open and close thevalve 104.

The valve actuator 102 may include a main body 108 coupled to anactuator motor 110. The main body 108 may house internal components(e.g., mechanical and electrical components, such as a gear train,microcontrollers, sensors and so on)(not shown). A housing (not shown)of the main body 108 may protect the internal components from theenvironment. The actuator motor 110 is configured to convert electricalenergy to mechanical force or motion. When energized, the actuator motor110 causes the actuation of the valve 104 by transmitting the output ofthe actuator motor 110 to a drive assembly (not shown) inside the mainbody 108.

The drive assembly may include, without limitation, a gear train, wormgear assembly, spur gears, planetary gears, drive belts, drive shafts,drive chains, clutch plates, and so on, that are configured to worktogether to transmit the output of the actuator motor 110 to a connector112, and ultimately to the valve 104. That is, the drive assembly in themain body 108 is configured to transmit the force produce by theactuator motor 110 to the connector 112 that couples the valve actuator102 to the valve 104. The connector 112 may rotate about an axis totransmit the force to the valve 104. A power line 114 delivers powerfrom a power source (not shown) to the actuator motor 110 and otherelectrical components that are provided in the main body 108. In someembodiments, the actuator motor 110 may be a constant speed actuatormotor 110. In other embodiments, the actuator motor 110 may be avariable speed actuator motor.

The valve 104 may comprise a valve housing 116, a valve seat 118 that iscarried by the valve housing 116, and a valve member 120. The valvemember 120 is movable between a closed and opened (not shown) position.The valve member 120 is shown as a generally circular disk in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example architecture that implements the detectionof a loss or disruption to at least one phase of a three phase AC powersource 200. In the preferred embodiment, the actuator motor 110 ispowered by the three phase AC power source 200. In other embodiments,the actuator motor 110 may be powered by a substantially constant directcurrent (DC) power supply. The DC power supply may be generated througha rectification and filtering process of a three phase AC power source200.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuator motor 110 is powered by thethree phase AC power source 200. The actuator motor 110 may comprise athree phase load, such as a three phase AC induction motor. In thismanner, electrical power from the AC power source 200 may be coupled tothe actuator motor 110 for energizing the actuator motor 110 for use inactuating the valve 104. The actuator motor 100 may energize the driveassembly (not shown) in the main body 108 and power the actuation of thevalve 104. In some embodiments, the actuator motor 110 may be a constantspeed AC motor. In other embodiments, the actuator motor 110 may be ofthe kind whose speed is adjustable by varying the input voltage oralternating current frequency to the motor.

In some embodiments, the AC input power from the three phase AC powersource 200 can be transmitted to one or more AC motor controller(s) 204to operate the actuator motor 110. In other embodiments, AC input powerfrom the three phase AC power source 200 is first passed through a threephase transformer 202 (not shown). The three phase transformer 202 isconfigured to reduce or increase the AC voltage (e.g. amplitude of theAC) to a predetermined voltage level to operate the AC motor 110.Examples of three phase transformers may include, but are not limitedto, three individual transformers, and a single poly-phase transformerof core-type or shell-type construction connected in a delta orY-configuration.

The AC motor controller(s) 204 (hereinafter referred to individually as“the AC motor controller 204” and collectively as “the AC motorcontroller(s) 204”) may be communicatively coupled to the actuator motor110 and programmed to control the actuator motor 110 by causing theactuator motor 110 to provide varying levels of output power foroperating the valve 104, and to power the drive assembly (not shown) inboth forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the AC motorcontroller(s) 204 may be configured through a calibration process, tooperate the actuator motor 110 at varying speeds or output according todifferent operating states of the valve 104.

In some embodiments, the three phase AC power source 200 may beconverted to a substantially constant direct current (DC) power supply208 through a rectification and filtering process. The resulting DCoutput of the DC power supply 208 may be used to power internalcomponents of the valve actuator 102, such as a microcontroller 206.

In at least one embodiment, the AC power from the three phasetransformer 202 may be transmitted to a three phase AC-DC rectifier 210to implement the rectification process. The AC-DC rectifier 210 may beused to produce a DC output from the three phase AC power source 200.Because of the alternating nature of an input AC sine wave, the DCoutput from the AC-DC rectifier 210 consists of six pulses of currentfor each cycle of the three phase AC input power. Examples of an AC-DCrectifier 210 may include, but are not limited to, semi-conductorrectifiers such as diodes, and controlled switching solid-state switchessuch as thryistors configured as a three phase half wave or full wavebridge.

Following the rectification process, a filtering process may beimplemented by a DC filter 212 to smooth the six pulses of currentassociated with the rectified DC output. The DC filter 212 may usecapacitors that release stored energy during the part of an AC cyclethat does not supply any power. An added advantage of rectifying a threephase AC power source is that the resulting DC output produces lessripple than a rectified DC output from a single-phase AC power source.As a result, less total capacitance can be required to filter the DCoutput. This in turn means that relatively light weight ceramiccapacitors may be used as the DC filter 212 rather than relativelylarger and heavier electrolytic capacitors. Other examples of a DCfilter 212 may include, but are not limited to, capacitors, generally,including electrolytic and ceramic capacitors, and a capacitor-inputfilter circuit incorporating additional components such as inductors.

Following the filtering process, a DC-DC converter 214 may be used toconvert the filtered DC output from the DC filter 212 from one voltagelevel to another predetermined voltage level. The DC-DC converter 214,also known as a power converter, offers a means to ensure that therectification and filtering process of three phase AC power to DC powercan be used to facilitate a wide range of devices having various DCpower requirements. In this instance, the DC-DC converter 214 may beused to ensure the filtered DC output that is transmitted to themicrocontroller 206 is transmitted at a predetermined voltage level thatis consistent with the microcontroller's 206 specifications. In at leastone embodiment where the actuator motor 110 is a DC motor, the DC-DCconverter 214 may ensure that the filtered DC output that is transmittedto the actuator motor 110 is consistent with the actuator motor's 110specifications. Examples of a DC-DC converter 214 may include, but arenot limited to, linear converters, switched-mode converters,switch-capacitors, magnetic type converters, and active voltageregulators of the linear or switch type.

In some embodiment, the output from the three phase transformer 202 maybe used to power the actuator motor 110. The actuator motor 110 may beconfigured to operate over a narrow variation of AC input. That is, theactuator motor 110 may operate unimpeded despite the loss or disruptionof one or more phases of the three phase AC power source 200. As notedearlier, the loss or disruption of one or more phases of the three phaseAC power source 200 may cause an abnormally high or low AC voltage to betransmitted to a hardware component, such as the actuator motor 110, Insome embodiments, the actuator motor 110 may be configured to operatesafely at the abnormal AC input, and therefore, may continue to operatenormally, despite the loss of one phase of the three phase AC powersource 200.

In other embodiments, the loss of one phase of a three phase AC powersource 200 can mean that the continued operation of the actuator motor110 may cause damage to critical components or harm the long-termservice life of the actuator motor 110 or the valve actuator 102,generally. In these instances, and as discussed in more detail below,the operation of the valve actuator 102 may be stopped or restricted.

In some embodiments, to detect the loss of one or more phases of thethree phase AC power source 200, the valve actuator 102 may comprisethree voltage sensors 216, 218, 220 to interface with the three phasesof the AC power source 200. Each voltage sensor 216, 218, 220 interfaceswith a different phase of the three phase AC power source 200, and eachvoltage sensor 216, 218, 220 is intended to detect a loss or disruptionof the interfacing phase of the three phase AC power source 200. Inresponse to detecting a loss or disruption of one or more phase of thethree phase AC power source 200, each voltage sensor 216, 218, 220 maygenerate a signal that is transmitted to a microcontroller 206, thesignal being indicative of the phase loss or disruption. A disruption ofthe interfacing phase might be an increase or decrease in voltage,including the loss of the phase, a non-sinusoidal waveform, excessiveelectrical noise, voltage spikes, or any other alteration of the normalphase alternating current.

In some embodiments, each voltage sensor 216, 218, 220 may be steppeddown using resistors to a processor voltage level that may be runthrough an analog and digital converter. In other embodiments, thevoltage sensors 216, 218, 220 may comprise analog-to-digital (A/D)converters (not shown) to convert analog power input signals to digitalpower input signals for downstream digital signal processing.

The analog signal from each voltage sensor 216, 218, 220 may betransmitted to the microcontroller 206. The microcontroller 206 maycompare each analog signal from each voltage sensor 216, 218, 220 with apredetermined value of signal amplitude to determine whether or not aphase loss or disruption has occurred. In some embodiments, themicrocontroller 206 can be communicatively coupled to an AC motorcontroller(s) 204 that is programmed to control the actuator motor 110.In response to receiving a signal of a phase loss or disruption from themicrocontroller 206, the AC motor controller(s) 204 may inhibit orrestrict the operation of the actuator motor 110.

In some embodiments, the AC motor controller(s) 204 may becommunicatively coupled to the actuator motor 110 and programmed tocontrol the actuator motor 110 by causing the actuator motor 110 toprovide varying levels of output power for operating the valve 104, andto power the drive assembly (not shown) in both the forward and reversedirections. In some embodiments, the AC motor controller(s) 204 may beconfigured, through a calibration process, to operate the actuator motor110 at varying speeds or output according to different operating statesof the valve 104. For example, during the operating state of “opening”the valve 104 from a closed position, the AC motor controller(s) 204 maycontrol the actuator motor 110 to operate at a predetermined speed oroutput. Other operating states of the valve 104 (e.g. closing, seating,rotating between open and closed positions, etc.) may require differentrespective speeds or output.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller 206 transmits the signalreceived from the voltage sensors 216, 218, 220 to a voltage measurementcomponent 222 stored in computer-readable memory 224 of the valveactuator 102. Computer-readable media may include two types ofcomputer-readable media, namely computer storage media andcommunications media. The memory 224 is an example of computer storagemedia. Computer storage media may include volatile and non-volatile,removable, and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information, such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory of othermemory technology, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), DVD, or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmissionmedium that may be used to store the desired information and which maybe accessed by the valve actuator 102.

Any such computer storage media may be part of the valve actuator 102.In general, computer storage media may include computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the microcontroller 206, performvarious functions and/or operations described herein.

In contrast, communications media embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal, such as a carrier wave, or other transmission mechanism. Asdefined herein, computer storage media does not include communicationsmedia.

In some embodiments, the voltage measurement component 222 includes acomparator 226 that is configured to compare one or more voltagemeasurements received from the microcontroller 206, via the voltagesensors 216, 218, 220, to a datastore 228 that stores the voltage limits230. The voltage limits 230 can include predetermined voltage limits fora particular valve actuator 102, actuator motor 110, or an operatingstate 232 of the valve actuator 102. For example, the datastore 228 thatstores the voltage limits 230 may associate different operating states230 of the valve 104 with voltage limits 230. The voltage limits 230 mayrepresent the peak voltages at which the actuator motor 110 may operatewithout causing harm to critical components or compromising thelong-term service life the valve actuator 102. Therefore, in response todetecting a phase loss or disruption, the comparator 226 can determinewhether the measured peak voltage from each voltage sensor 216, 218, 220exceeds the voltage limits 230 associated with a desired operation ofthe valve actuator 102. In instances where the operating state 232, suchas “opening” the valve 104, has a voltage limit 230 that is higher thanthe measured peak voltage from the voltage sensors 216, 218, 220, thecomparator 226 may communicate with the microcontroller 206 that theactuator motor 110 may safely operate, despite experiencing a phase lossor disruption. However, if the operating state 232, such as “seating”the valve 104, has a voltage limit 230 that is lower than the measuredpeak voltage from each voltage sensor 216, 218, 220, the comparator 226may communicate with the microcontroller 206 to stop the operation ofthe actuator motor 110. Note that FIG. 2 illustrates a feedback loopfrom the voltage measurement component 222 to the microcontroller 206for the purpose of communicating an indication to the microcontroller206 to stop the operation of the actuator motor 110. The microcontroller206 may receive an indication from the voltage measurement component 222that the current voltage meets or exceeds the voltage limit 230specified in the memory 224. In response, the microcontroller 206 maycommunicate an indication to the AC motor controller(s) 204 to halt anyfurther actuation of the valve 104 in order to mitigate any possibledamage to the actuator motor 110 or valve actuator 102, generally.

In some embodiments, the AC motor controller(s) 204 may restrict theoperation of the actuator 110, rather than fully halt all operations.For example, the AC motor controller(s) 204 may allow the actuator motor110 to operate for a predetermined time interval, before haltingoperations. The predetermined time interval may provide sufficient timeto allow the valve to move into a “seated position” before operationsare halted. In another embodiment, the AC motor controller(s) 204 mayrestrict the operating speed of the actuator motor 110 to apredetermined operating speed, if the actuator motor 110 is of a kindthat can operate at varying speeds. In some embodiments, thepredetermined operating speed of the actuator motor 110 may bedetermined by an amount of torque generated by the actuator motor 110.

In some embodiments, the voltage measurement component 222 uses voltagemeasurement techniques that may also indicate whether the three phasesof the three phase AC power source 200 are wired out of sequence. Forexample, if the three phases are incorrectly wired as ACB, instead ofABC, the actuator motor 110 may want to turn in the opposite direction.Therefore, by identifying a wiring error, the voltage measurementcomponent 222 may prevent damage to critical components of the valveactuator 102 or the valve 104, generally.

In some embodiments, the memory 224 may include an alarm and reportingmodule 234 that is configured to send various communications includingalerts, alarms, notifications, and/or reports. These communications maybe sent to one or more other computing device(s) 236, such as over anetwork (e.g. the Internet, an intranet, a wired or wireless network, acellular network, or a combination thereof), or another type ofconnection (e.g. peer-to-peer (P2P), direct wireless or wireddevice-to-device connection, etc.), and so on.

In some embodiments, the various communications that may be sent by thealarm and reporting module 234 may be triggered by the voltagemeasurement component 222 receiving an indication that a loss ordisruption of one or more phases of the three phase AC power source 200,has occurred. In other embodiments, the various communications may betriggered by the comparator 226 of the voltage measurement component 222receiving an indication that the measured voltage from one or morevoltage sensors 216, 218, 220 exceeds a voltage limit 230.

In some embodiments, the various communications that may be sent by thealarm and reporting module 234 to the other computing device(s) 236 mayinclude, without limitation, an audible sound, a light (e.g. a flashinglight emitting diode (LED)), a short message service (SMS) text message,an electronic mail (e-mail), a banner notification, toast notification,or any similar notification at the other computing device(s) 236. Inthis manner, a user of the other computing device(s) 236, such as amaintenance operator of the valve system 100, may receive thenotification and may take appropriate remedial action in response, suchas dispatching personnel to the valve system 100 to diagnose theproblem, sending a ticket to a valve maintenance entity, or sounding analarm in the larger system where the valve system 100 is implemented.For example, if proper operation of the valve 104 is needed to ensuresafety to personnel aboard a vessel, an alarm on the vessel may besounded in response to the notification sent by the alarm and reportingmodule 234.

In some embodiments, the memory 220 may include a user interface 238.The user interface 238 may be a touch-sensitive display, microphone,keyboard or joystick-like controller. In other embodiments, the userinterface 238 may comprise a communicative port, such as an Ethernetport or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) that establishes a communicativeconnection between the memory 220 and a peripheral electronic device240. A peripheral electronic device 240 may any electronic device, suchas a cellular phone, a tablet computer, an electronic reader, a mediaplayer, a gaming device, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer,etc.

The user interface 238 may present selectable options to configure thealarm and reporting module 234. For example, an operator of the valveactuator 102 may select one or more users or other operators to receivea report of the loss of phase of the three phase AC power source 200.The user interface may also present selectable options associated withthe types of alarms and reports that may be communicated to selectedusers of the other computing device(s) 236.

Moreover, in at least one embodiment, various communications may be sentby the alarm and reporting module 234, in response to determining thatthe three phases of the three phase AC power source 200 are wired out ofsequence.

Example Processes

The processes described in this disclosure may be implemented by thearchitecture described herein, or by other architectures. Theseprocesses are illustrated as a collection of blocks in a logical flowdiagram. Some of the blocks represent operations that can be implementedin hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context ofsoftware, the block represent computer-executable instructions stored onone or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by oneor more processors, perform the recited operations. Generally,computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, and the like that perform particularfunctions or implement particular abstract data types. The order inwhich the operations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described blocks can be combined inany order or in parallel to implement the processes. It is understoodthat the following processes may be implemented on other architecturesas well.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an example process 300 fortransmitting a communication to other computing device(s) 236 inresponse to receiving an indication of a phase loss or disruption of oneor more phases of the three phase AC power source 200. The process 300may be implemented by one or more components of the valve actuator 102,and in particular the actuator motor 110, the microcontroller 206, theAC motor controller(s) 204, and the voltage measurement component 222.

At 302, the three phase AC power source 200 provides three phase ACpower to the valve actuator 102. Three voltage sensors 216, 218, 220interface with different phases of the three phase AC power source 200.

At 304, the microcontroller 216 receives a signal from at least onevoltage sensor 325, 216, 218 indicating a loss or disruption of at leastone phase of the three phase AC power source 200. The microcontroller216 then transmits the indication of the phase loss or disruption to thevoltage measurement component 218.

At 306, in response to receiving an indication of a loss or disruptionof at least one phase of the three phase AC power supply, the alarm andreporting module 234 of the voltage measurement component 222 maytransmit a communication to the other computing device(s) 236 indicatingthat a phase loss or disruption has occurred. The communication mayinclude, without limitation, an audible sound, a light (e.g. a flashinglight emitting diode (LED)), a short message service (SMS) text message,an electronic mail (e-mail), a banner notification, toast notification,or any similar notification at the other computing device(s) 236. In oneembodiment, if proper operation of the valve 104 is needed to ensure thesafety of personnel aboard a vessel, an alarm on the vessel may besounded in response to the notification sent by the alarm and reportingmodule 234.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example process 400 for causing theAC motor controller(s) 204 to modify the operation of the actuator motor110, in response to receiving an indication of a phase loss ordisruption of at least one phase of the three phase AC power source 200.The process 400 may be implemented by one or more components of thevalve actuator 102, and in particular the actuator motor 110, themicrocontroller 206, AC motor controller(s) 204, and the voltagemeasurement component 222.

At 402, the three phase AC power source 200 provides three phase ACpower to the valve actuator 102. Three voltage sensors 216, 218, 220,interface with different phases of the three phases of the AC powersource 200. At 404, the microcontroller 206 receives a signal from atleast one voltage sensor 216, 218, 220, indicating a loss or disruptionof at least one phase of the three phase AC power source 200. Themicrocontroller 206 then transmits the indication of the phase loss ordisruption to the voltage measurement component 222.

At 406, the alarm and reporting module 234 of the voltage measurementcomponent 222 may transmit a communication to other computing device(s)236, indicating that a phase loss or disruption has occurred. Thecommunication may include, without limitation, an audible sound, a light(e.g. a flashing light emitting diode (LED)), a short message service(SMS) text message, an electronic mail (e-mail), a banner notification,toast notification, or any similar notification at the other computingdevice(s) 236. In one embodiment, if proper operation of the valve 104is needed to ensure the safety of personnel aboard a vessel, an alarm onthe vessel may be sounded in response to the notification sent by thealarm and reporting module 234.

At 408, the voltage measurement component 222 may determine a peakvoltage associated with the remaining two-phases of the three phase ACpower source 200. This process may involve a comparator 226 determiningwhether the peak voltage associated with the remaining two-phases of ACpower exceeds a predetermined voltage limit 230. The datastore 228 ofoperating states 230 and voltage limits 230 may be associated with thevalve actuator 102, or the actuator motor 110. The operating states 230may include, but at not limited to, opening, closing, seating, androtating the valve 104 between an open and closed position.

At 410, if the peak voltage of the two remaining phases of three phaseAC power source 200 does not exceed a predetermined voltage limit, thevoltage measurement component 222 may transmit an indication to themicrocontroller 206 that the actuator motor 110 may continue normaloperation. The microcontroller 206 may transmit the same indication, oranother indication to the AC motor controller(s) 204, indicating thatthe actuator motor 110 may continue normal operation.

At 412, if however, the peak voltage of the two remaining phases of thethree phase AC power source 200 does exceed a predetermined voltagelimit, the voltage measurement component 222 may transmit an indicationto the microcontroller 206 to stop or inhibit the operation of theactuator motor 110. The microcontroller 206 may transmit the sameindication, or another indication to the AC motor controller(s) 204,indicating that the peak voltage has exceeded a predetermined voltagelimit. In response, the AC motor controller(s) 204 may stop or inhibitthe operation of the actuator motor 110. In some embodiments, the ACmotor controller(s) 204 may restrict the operation of the actuator 110,rather than fully halt all operations. For example, AC motorcontroller(s) 204 may allow the actuator motor 110 to operate for apredetermined time interval, before halting operations. For instance,the predetermined time interval may be determined as a sufficient timeinterval to move the valve 104 into a seating position. In anotherembodiment, the AC motor controller(s) 204 may restrict the operatingspeed of the actuator motor 110, if the actuator motor 110 is of a kindthat can operate at varying speeds. In yet another embodiment, the ACmotor controller(s) 204 may inhibit particular operating states of theactuator motor 110. The operating states may include, but at not limitedto, opening, closing, seating, and rotating the valve 104 between anopen and closed position.

CONCLUSION

Although the application describes embodiments having specificstructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features oracts described herein. Rather, the specific features and acts are merelyillustrative of some embodiments that fall within the scope of theclaims of the application.

1. A device, comprising: a polyphase power supply having a plurality ofphases of alternating current; an electric motor coupled to thepolyphase power supply having a voltage threshold limit associated withoperation of the electric motor; and a processor coupled to thepolyphase power supply, the processor in operation: compares a peakvoltage of at least one phase of the plurality of phases of thepolyphase power supply to the voltage threshold limit in response to adisruption of any one phase of the plurality of phases.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the processor, in operation, issues an alert, an alarm,a notification, or a report to an external device in response to thepeak voltage exceeding the voltage threshold limit
 3. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the disruption includes a spike in voltage of the atleast one phase greater than the voltage threshold limit.
 4. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the disruption includes a non-sinusoidal waveform ofthe at least one phase.
 5. A method, comprising: comparing a peakvoltage of at least one phase of a plurality of phases of a polyphasepower supply to a voltage threshold limit associated with an operationof an electric motor in response to a disruption of any one phase of theplurality of phases; and reporting the disruption of the any one phaseof the plurality of phases to an external device.
 6. The method of claim5 further comprising: before the comparing, detecting the disruption ofthe any one phase of the plurality of phases.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein the detecting the disruption includes detecting a change in thepeak voltage of the any one phase of the plurality of phases.
 8. Themethod of claim 6 wherein the detecting the disruption includesdetecting a non-sinusoidal waveform in the any one phase of theplurality of phases.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the detecting thedisruption includes detecting a loss of the any one phase.
 10. Themethod of claim 5 wherein the reporting includes transmitting an alert,an alarm, a notification, or a report corresponding to the disruption ofthe any one phase of the plurality of phases to the external device. 11.The method of claim 5 further comprising: after the comparing, adjustingthe operation of the electric motor in response to the comparing. 12.The method of claim 11 wherein the comparing includes generating anotification in response to the peak voltage exceeding the voltagethreshold limit; and the adjusting includes stopping the operation ofthe electric motor in response to the notification.
 13. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the comparing includes generating a notification inresponse to the peak voltage being below or equal to the voltagethreshold limit; and the adjusting includes continuing the operation ofthe electric motor in response to the notification.
 14. A device,comprising: an electric motor having a voltage limit associated with anoperation of the electric motor; a polyphase power supply in electriccommunication with the electric motor, the polyphase power supply havinga plurality of phases of alternating current; a voltage detection devicecoupled to the polyphase power supply, the voltage detection device, inuse, outputs a disruption signal in response to a change in voltage ofany one phase of the plurality of phases; and a comparison devicecoupled to the polyphase power supply, the voltage detection device, andthe electric motor, the comparison device, in use, compares a peakvoltage of at least one phase of the plurality of phases to the voltagelimit in response to the disruption signal.
 15. The device of claim 14further comprising: a memory; and a microcontroller coupled to thememory, the voltage detection device, and the comparison device.
 16. Thedevice of claim 15 further comprising: a datastore in the memory, thedatastore including the voltage limit, wherein the microcontroller, inuse, transmits a signal received from the voltage detection device tothe comparison device to compare the peak voltage to the voltage limitin the datastore.
 17. The device of claim 15 wherein the memory includesan alarm and reporting module configured to send an alert, alarm,notification, or report to an external device in response to thedisruption.